Mining machine



L50Z421 R. PEALE 241mm mamas Filed March 244 192: GSheets-Shcot. 5

Sept. 2 1924.

V v 1,507,421 R. PEALE MINING MACHINE Filed March 24 19 21 s Sheets-sheet '2 Sept. 2, 1924. I 1,507,421

R; PEALE MINING MACHINE I Filed March 24, 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Y W ATTORNEY Patented ent. 2, 1924.

-" f 15min UNITED STATES PATENT QFFEQE.

RICHARD IEALE, OF ST. BENEDICT, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO REMBRAND'I PEALE, OF 5ST. BENEDICT, EENNSYLVANIA.

MINING LMAGHINE.

A plication filed. March 24, 1921.

T all 107mm it at ag concern Be it known that I, RICHARD Pnnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Benedict, in the county of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Mining Machines, of which the following :lication.

The invention relates to mining machines, and more particularly to mining machines adapted to cut a kerf about a body of coal on all sides and to convey away the detached coal; and to such sp cial features of invention in such machines as are hereinafter pointed out.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the

same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalit-ies and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings. referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and

together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings Fig. l is a top plan of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken substan tially on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section talren substantially on line of Fig. 1:

Fig. 4 is an end elevation, looking at Figs. .1, 2 and 3 from the right;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged. fragn'icniary. detail of the heart cut-ting chain and the driving chain therefor:

Fig. 6 is a sectional. fragmentary detail, taken on line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, transverse sectiy, taken substantially on line 7-7 of Fig. showing one of the guiding sprockets for the chain which drives the cutter chain;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse section. taken substantially on line 8-8 .of t. showing the engagement of the driving chain with the cutter chain:

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, transverse section, takensubstantially on. line 9-9 of Fig. 41:,

is a speci- Serial No. 454,986.

showing the cutter chain traveling in the bottom reach of its guide;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, transverse section, taken substantially on line 1010 of 4:, showing the cutter chain traveling in the upper reach of its guide;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail, plan view of the automatic clutch mechanism for reversing the direction of travel of the conveyor blades, and showing a detail or modification for preventing the clutch stopping in neutral position;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary. detached detail, partly in elevation and partly in section of the conveyor blade mechanism, showing a conveyor blade in conveying position:

Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to Fig. 19., but showing a conveyor blade traveling in the return or idle direction;

Fig. let is a fragmentary, perspective of a 7 part of the conveyor mechanism, showing the connections between a conveyor blade and its operating chain;

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic showing of the machine employed. in heading or entry work: Q0

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan, corresponding to the top part of Fig. 1. and showing a baffle plate structure substituted for the short cross conveyor;

Figs. 1'7. 18 and, 19 are details. similar to Figs. 12, 13 andl f, but showing the pusher blade arms adapted to pass the helding down rollers for the sprocket chains.

The: invention, in. some of the main fcatures of the present exemplified embodiment, comprises a machine frame having a vertically disposed endless or loop cutter chain guideway with the cutter chain running therein, adapted to cut out a core of coal, the guideway being in fixed position on the machine 'lranie and being pressed to the work by the travel of the machine. The cutter chain gu deway is arrz-mged across the front of. the machine. and is of the full width of the macliiine 'lranie or just slightly wider than the frame. so that the machine may travel forward and thereby press the cutter chain into the coal. the niiachine in travelin cutting so ce for itself to advance continu ously as in entry or heading work.

The space within the cutter chain guide way is entirely clear, so that a lrerf is cut by the one cutter chain completely around a core of coal. which core ex ends over the bottom part of the machine frame, the core gradually breaking off and dropping down, due to its weight and the natural cleavage planes in the coal, upon a conveyor disposed horizontally on the machine frame and extending into the horizontal bottom kerf.

The construction is such that a very narrowkerf only need be out, which greatly reduces the work necessary in cutting out a core of any given size, and renders possible a machine of very light construction, which conduces vto'ease of handling. In this conmotion, and conducingto'the light and powerful construction of the machine, frame braces are located between the Vertical reaches of the transversely disposed cutter chain guideway back to the horizontal frame, these braces entering the kerf behind the vertical reaches of the cutter chain guideway. I

Driving means for the cutter chain are provided which are of great general efficiency and likewise conduce to the structural features already referred to, including the narrow lrerf cutting mechanism. The cutter chain driving means comprises a motor at the back of the machine and a chain driven thereby and extending to the cutter chain and running along within one of the reaches of the cutter chain guideway and in mesh or engagement with the cutter chain.

-The conveyor mechanism provided in the exemplified embodiment also conduces to the light, strong and compact construction of the machine, and will pass into the very narrow horizontal bottom kerf cut by the machine, 'so as to receive the broken coal as it falls from the core. This conveyor, as embodied, comprises one or more pusher blades,.-pivotally mounted at the ends thereof on reciprocating chains, the pusher blades lying down when not in use and also when traveling idly backwardly through the 'coal, but standing up and pushing the brokon coal before them during the forward or conveying movement.

.Other features of the invention will be set forth hereinafter in connection with the. detailed description of the present embodiment, andit will be understood that the foregoing and following description of the various fea tures of the invention are illustrative and exemplary and are not restrictive of the in ventio'n. I

Referring now in detail to the embodied form of the invention, the machine has a low, flat framel adapted to carry at the front end thereof and in fixed position thereon, the endless kerf cutter which is located on the front of the machine, cutting a very narrow kerf entirely about a core of coal or other mineral, also to support a conveyor mechanism which when idle lies flat and thin and is adapted to enter the thin or narrow kerf beneath the core. The frame 1 also supports at the rear "or outer endthereof a motor for driving the cutter chain'and the conveyor, and for advancing the machine to press the front cutter into the work. The machine frame 1 comprises a solid or apertured floor 2, which cooperates with or serves as a part of the. conveyor mechanism, as will be hereinafter described.

The kerf cutting mechanism at the forward end of the frame comprises the endless guideway, or guiding frame 5 for the endless cutter chain. This guideway is preferably of substantially rectangular form, having horizontal top and bottom reaches 6 and 7, and connecting vertical reaches 8 and=9 at the two sides, the corners beingrounded'to permit the cutter chain tomake the turns.

The lower reach 7 of the cutter chain 'guideway is integral with or is fixed firmly to the bed plate 2 of the machine frame to support and position the cutting mechanism on the frame.

The cutter frame 5 extends entirely across the full width of the machine frame'l, or is just a trifle wider, so as to provide clearance whereby the machine will advance into the work as the cutter chain cuts its endless 'kerf, adapting the machine for entry or heading work. It will do room and l'ongwall work as well. The embodied machine'is designed to cut a relatively narrow'kerf, thusgreatly reducing the amount of work necessary 1n advancing the machine a given distan'ce, tl-1'=at 1s, m. cutting out a core of coal or other mineral of a given size. For thls reason also, the chain'cutter can be'ru'n at greater ends being riveted, bolted or otherwise he tened to the vertical. reaches 8 and 9 ofthe endless cutter chain guideway 5,. and their rear ends being fastened in like "m'anner to the machine frame. Cross braces 12 may also be provided between the braces 16 id 11. These braces are of a width such as will permit them to pass into the vertical part of the kerf as the machine advances with the cutting of the kerf, and they holdthe cutter chain guideway firmly. in position, and prevent any springing or backward bending thereof from the pressure exerted thereon while the machine is advancing the kerf is being cut.

The embodied form of cutter chainsis adapted by structure to cut a narrow kerf and at the same time is of sufficient strength to stand up to the work. The embodied form of cutter chain is likewise adapted to cooperate with and to be driven by a driving chain which meshes with or engages with the cutter chain, running therewith in one of the reaches of the guideway 5. This gives a very powerful and efficient driving means, and also conduces to keep the entire space within the cutter chain guideway free for the projection of the core of coal or other mineral thereinto.

As embodied (Figs. to the cutter chain is provided with links 18 carrying hubs or bosses 19, in which are mounted the cutter teeth 20. Between the links 18 and connected thereto at each end by pivots 21 and 22 are links 23. The links are preferably provided with curved sides which contact with the guideway wall (Fig. 5). The pivots 21 and 22 pass through spacing blocks 25, abutting on the rear face of the links 23. In Fig. 6 and following, the links 23 and the spacing blocks 25 are shown integral, the pivots 21 and 22 passing through each block 25. At the rear end thereof, the members 25 are pivotally connected together by links 26, making a continuous link structure at the front and back of the chain.

The cutter chain guideway comprises plates 27 and 28, preferably of rectangular section, as shown in Figs. 7 to 10, the cutter chain fitting therein and running with a free sliding fit. The members 27 and 28 are fastened together in a suitable manner, as by flanges 29 and 30, facing and in contact with one another and fastened together by suitable means such as bolts 31.

The embodied form% of driving means for the kerf cutter chain comprises a driving chain therefor running within the cutter chain guideway 5 along one of its reaches, and preferably along one of the vertical reaches of the cutter chain, the driving chain engaging with or meshing with the cutter chain (see especially Figs. 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8). As embodied, the links 18 overlie the driving chain and are provided with faces 35, preferably closely adjacent to the cutter teeth 20, with which faces projections or lugs 37 on the driving chain engage. The driving chain comprises links 36, and projecting therefrom are the lugs 37 which engage with the faces of links 18, as shown in Figs. 5 to 8. The driving chain is provided also with connected pivoted links 38 and 39 be tween the links 36. The links 36 are prefer ably spaced apart so that a lug 37 engages a link 18 closely adjacent to each cutter tooth 20.

In the embodied form, the driving chain engages with the cutter chain during a large part of the vertical reach 9 of the cutter chain guideway 5. The driving chain runs within the guideway, alongside the blocks or members 25, and beneath or back of the links 18 of the cutter chain. A hearing strip or hearing blocks 40 may be provided within the guideway 5 back of the driving chain to. hold it to engagement with the cutter chain. The preferred manner of driving the driving chain will be later described. Spacing bars 42 in pairs are provided within the guideway 5 in the parts of the guideway in which the driving chain does not run to hold the cutter chain 'to position, (see Figs. 9 and 10). A spacing bar 42 may be employed in that part of the guideway where the driving chain runs, to keep the rear end of the cutter chain in proper position. The cutter chain is guided into and out of the guideway 5 by suitable means such as sprocket wheels 44, journaled on bearings 45 supported on the wall of the guideway 5.

In the embodied form of driving means for the driving chain, a motor is mounted at the rear end and preferably at one side of the frame 1, that is, in or near one corner of the frame. This motor 50 drives the driving chain, the conveyor, and also the means for advancing the machine to the work, by mechanism which will be later described.

In the embodied form of means for driving the driving chain for the cutter chain, fixed on shaft 51 of motor 50 is a worm 52, which 'worm meshes with a worm wheel 53 fixed on a shaft 54. Mounted loosely on shaft 54 is a sprocket wheel 55 fixed to which is a clutch member 56. Rotatable with but slidable along shaft 54 is a cooperating clutch member 57, thrown in and out by a suitable hand lever, not shown. By means of the clutch members 56 and 57, the sprocket wheel 55 may be driven from shaft 54 or left at rest. The driving chain for the cutter chain runs over the sprocket wheel 55, the links 38 serving as sprocket links. The driving chain also runs over the idler sprocket wheels 44, already described. Thus the cutter chain is driven from the motor 50, underthe control. of the clutch 56, 57, which provides for starting and stopping the cutter chain as desired or as may be required or necessary. This mechanism, the motor and the conveyor driving mechanism are preferably protected by a cover or housing 59.

The embodied formof conveyor comprises a plurality of pusher blades 70 reciprocated to and fro over a floor 60. which is just above the bottom or floor 2 of the machine frame 1. These blades lie flat upon the floor 60: when not in use, and also when moving back wardly on the idle stroke, but they auto- 7 matically rise into vertical position on the forward or conveying stroke to push the dis lodged and broken coal before them toward the rear of the machine. In Fig. 1 a short cross conveyor is shown between the cutter IOU chainguideWay 5 andthe housincr 5 9 while in Fig. 16,- an obliquely positioned bafflev plate 61 is employedto'pnsh the dislodged coal or other mineral over into thev path of the main conveyor Referring now in detail to the construction conveyor or by'the baflle plate-over'rather than against the chain 64.

The pusher blades extend across the conveyor mechanism, and are preferably" several in number and are pivot-ally connected at one end to the-chain-G'S and at the opposite end to the chain 64, the conveyor onpusher blades 70 occupying nearly the full width of the machine except for the part occupied by the housing 59 for the motor 50 and the driving mechanisms cooperating therewith. I g I The conveyorbladesTO (Figs. 12, 13 and 14) are connected to their operating chains 63 and 64 so as to operate in the manner already describetl,- that is,- the blades 7O lie down flat on the floor 60' when the kerf is being cut and the conveyor is passing into the kerf (as shown in Fig. 14) and they also lie down flat during the operation'of the conveyor mechanism when sliding. backidly beneath the coal (as shown in Fig. 13), but they automatically rise to vertical, position to push the broken and dislodged coal before them in their advancing or conveying moveinent whenthey are conveying the coal toward the rear of the machine (as shown in Fig. 12). The blades 70 are placed preferably somewhat closer together than the length of the reciprocatory travel of the chains 63" and 64 so thateachblade will gather all the coal left by the blade behind it on the preceding stroke. x As embodied, the blades .70 have pivotal connections 7-1 at their ends with the chains 63'and 64, respectively. Pivoted to each of the chains 63 and 64 by pivot-s 72are arms 73, having slots 74 formed therein. Fixed to the ends of the blades 70 are brackets 7 5, each terminating in -a pin 76 projecting through and slidable in the corresponding slot 7 The blades 70 are provided at their top end with curved fingers 77. The pusher blades 70 may be higher than the side frames of the machine if desired. v r As the chains 63 and 64 move backwardly in; their idle reciprocatory movement, the blades 'ZQ will folddo-wn into the position shownin Figs. I3 and; 1 4, but when the chainstravellih theopposite dire'cg t-io"n-,

"the 77 will the blades 70 "to they are held in this position during the advancing or conveying reciprocatory movement of the chains 63 and 64 by the pin 76 being in the end of the slot 7 z The embodied form of driving and guidin'g means for the chains 63 and 64 include the end sprocket wheels 65-68already referred to.- The lower reach of the chain returns or travelspreferably between the floor 60'and the bottom plate orplates 2 of the machine. I

Idler sprockets 82 may be eniplo yed in. frontof the sprocket wheels 66-and 68 to keep the chain on the flpor In Fig. 3

th-efioor 60 at its rear end isshown slightly raised and the sprocket wheels: or rollers 80 and 8-1 are located at the point of change of inclination of the-parts of floor 60, and

are utilized to-keep the chains 63- and64 in positionpnthe parts of the floor which v are of different; inclination. Figs. 17 to 19 the arms 7 3' for blades 70 are shown on the inside of the sp o'cket chains so as to .pass rollers; 80 and 81.

The embodied form-of means for drivin the conve rn mechanism 1n 1ts reci ro b l i catory movement, is driyen from'themotor 50 and includes a suitable form of autoinatic reversing mechanism. As embodied,

a bevel. g ear wheel is'fixed on shaft 54, and meshing therewith is a beveled gear wheel 92, which is fixed on a shaft 93,

journaled iii-bearings 94" 95. Fixed on shaft 93 is av gear wheel 96, with which meshesa gear wheel 97, mounted loosely on a shaft 98 Shaft '98. is journal'ed in bearings 99 and 100v on the machine frame. The gear wheel 97 is provided with a clutch member 101.

.l i Fixed also on shait 93,1s a. gear wheel 102, whiclrmeshcs with an idler gear wheel 103, mounted on a stub shaft journal'ed in a bearing 10 4 on the machine frame. Idler gear wheel 103 meshes with a gear wheel lO5, which: is mountedl oosely on shaft 98 similarly to gear wheel 97,but owing to idler gear 103', gear wheels 97 and 105 rotate in opposite directions. Gear wheel 105-is provided with a clutch: member 106.

Mounted upon shaft 98 to rotatether'ev with, but slid-able ther'ealong, is a "double chit-ch nielnber 107, adapted to pass alternatively into en agement with cliitch memher 101 orwith clutch member 1'06,- thereby.

imparting rotationfto the shaft '98 either in one direction nom' ear wheel 97 or in the other direction from gea nwheel 105. The

clutch member 107 is thrown out of engagement" withone' 'of'thel clutch members 101 and 106 and into engagement with the 'other thereof in alternation by (if meichanismlater to be described and thereby automatically re-verses the direction if ravel of the "conveyor detail in Fig. 11.

The further driving connections for the main conveyor comprise a beveled gear wheel 110 fixed on shaft 98, and meshing therewith a beveled gear wheel 111, fixed on a shaft 112, which is journaled at 113 and 111 in the machine frame, and extends across the conveyor beneath floor 60. Sprocket wheels 1.15 and 116 are in mesh with the chains 64 and 623, respectively, to impart the required reciprocatory movement thereto and to the conveyor blades 70.

The cross conveyor shown at the upper right hand end of Fig. 1 is similar in its construction and manner of operation, but is shown with. only one conveyor blade 70. This conveyor blade is connected at its ends, in the manner already described, to chains 120 and 121, which run "over sprocket wheels 122 and 123, and 121 and 125, re spectively. Sprocketwheels 123 and 125 are both fixed on a shaft 126, journaled at 127 and 128 in the machine frame. this construction causing the chains 120 and 121 to travel together. Fixed on shaft 08 is a gear wheel 129, which n'ieshes with gear wheel 130, which is fixed on the shaft of sprocket wheel 122. Thus the short conveyor is reciprocated to and fro in the same. manner as the long or main conveyor.

lifeferring now to the means for automatically throwing clutch 107 to reverse the direction of travel of the conveyors, this mechanism is shown partly in Fig. 1 and in The clutch. member 107 is provided with an annular groove 136, into which projects a pin 187 which is fixed on an arm 138. Arm 188 is loosely pivoted on a bearing pin 139, and fixed to the arm 138 is an arm 1 10, provided with lugs 111 and 141 2. Pivotally mounted also on pin 139 is an arm 113, which will engage with lugs 1 11 or 142 to move clutch member 10'. in one. direction or the other, which is preferably bent downwardly so that the free end thereof is in the path of two spaced apart lugs 14-4- and 1 15 fixed. on the lower reach of the chain 120.

A tension spring 14:6 has one end 1417 thereof fixed to the arm 15 6 and the other end thereof fixed to the machine frame, the spring 146 being in position to snap or impel the arm 143 in either direction when it has once passed over the dead center. Thus, when in the position of Fig. 11, the lug 145 will engage the arm 1 13 and will 'push it, thereby beginning to disengage the clutch member 107 from the clutch member 106. hen arm 14-3 has just passed the dead center for the spring 146, the spring will snap it in the opposite direction, and will thus throw the clutch member 107 into engagement with the clutch member 101 and thereby reverse the direction of travel of the conveyors. This mechanism prevents the clutch member 107 stopping in neutral position, which. would stop the conveyor mechanism. The operation is just the reverse on the opposite travel of chains 120. l i' hen the short conveyor is not used, chain 1:20 can be left to operate clutch 107 or the mechanism can be turned about and operated from chain 6 1 as shown. in Fig. 16. The distance of travel of the blades relatively to the length of the machine may be varied, if desired. By putting arm 143 on the dead center of spring 146, or by unhooking spring 1 16 at either end, the conveying mechanism can be stopped. By moving one of the lugs 141 1 or 1 15 toward or away from the other, the stroke or reciprocatory travel of the conveyor blades 7 0 may be lengthened or shortened as desired.

The embodied form of means for advancing the machine, and thereby pressing the cutter chain to the work, comprises winding cables having one end anchored to screw jacks or other suitable anchorages, placed in proper position, and which are wound up on drums driven from the motor 50. The means for accomplishing this is shown rather diagrammatically in the drawings, it being understood that in actual working conditions, suitable gearing may be provided for effecting the desired feeding movement in relation to the speed of the cutting ope/r ion. As embodied, the motor shaft has fixed thereon a bevel gear 154, with which meshes, respectively, two bevel gear wheels 1555 and 156, which are loosely mounted on the shaft 157, this shaft being journaled in bearings 15S and 159, mounted on the machine frame. Fixed on the shaft 157 are drums 160 and 161. Mounted on shaft 156 to rotate therewith, but slidable therealong, is a clutch 162, adapted to engage with either the gear wheel 155 or the gear wheel 156 to rotate the drums 160 ad 161 in either direction. This clutch may be manually operated in a known or suitable manner.

in Fig. 15 the machine is shown, somewhat diagrammatically, operating to drive a heading or entry, with cables 165 and 166 being wound on the drums 160 and 161, and having their ends anchored to screw jacks 167 and 168 fastened in any convenient place in the mine wall or roof. Any suitable sheaves for guiding the cables in a well known manner may be employed if desired, such for instance as the sheaves 165 and 166'.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

hat I claim is 1. A mining machine including in commounted across and at the front of the frame, and having top and bottom horizontal reaches and side vertical reaches, a cutter chain running in the guideway, means for driving the cutter chain, a conveyor Within the machine frame and extending throughout along the bottom of the machine from the bottom of the cutter chain guideWay to the rear of the machine, and means for advancing the machine frame to press the cutter chain into the Work.

12. A mining machine including in combination a flat, lOW machine frame, a vertically disposed endless cutter chain guideway in fixed position on the frame, and having top and bottom horizontal reaches and side vertical reaches, a cutter chain run ning in the guideway, means for driving the cutter chain, braces between the machine frame and the vertical reaches of the cutter chain guideWay adapted to pass into the vertical parts of the kerf as the machine advances, and means for advancing the machine frame to press the cutter chain into the work.

13. A mining machine including in combination a flat, lOW machine frame, a vertically disposed endless cutter chain guideivay mounted across and at the front of the frame, and having top and bottom horizontal reaches and side vertical reaches, a cutter chain running in the guideway, means for driving the cutter chain, braces between the machine frame and the vertical reaches of the cutter chain guideWay adapted to pass into the vertical parts of the kerf as the machine advances, and means for advancing the machine frame to press the cutter chain into the Work.

14. A mining machine including in com bination a flat, lOW machine frame, a vertically disposed endless cutter chain guideway mounted across and at the front of the frame, and having top and bottom horizontal reaches and side vertical reaches, the entire space Within the cutter chain guideway being clear, a cutter chain running in the guideway, means for driving the cutter chain, braces between the machine frame and the vertical reaches of the cutter chain guide- Way adapted to pass into the vertical parts of the kerf as the machine advances, and means for advancing the machine frame to press the cutter chain into the Work.

15. A mining machine including in combination a flat, 10W machine frame, a vertically disposed endless cutter chain guideWay in fixed position on the frame, and having top and bottom horizontal reaches and side vertical reaches, a cutter chain running in the guideway, means for driving the cutter chain, means for advancing the machine frame to press the cutter chain into the Work, and a low, flat, horizontally disposed conveyor Within the machine frame, extending from just behind the cutter chain guideway to the rear of the fran'ie and entering the bottom horizontal reach of the kerf as the machine advances.

16. A miningmachine including in combination a flat, low machine frame, a vertically disposed endless cutter chain guideway mounted across and at the front of the frame, and having top and bottom horizontal reaches and side vertical reaches, a cutter chain running in the guideivay, means for driving the cutter chain, means for advancing the machine frame to press the cutter chain into the Work, and a low, flat, horizontally disposed conveyor Within the machine frame, extending from just behind the cutter chain guideway to the rear of the frame and entering the bottom horizontal reach of the kerf as the machine advances.

17. A mining machine including in combination a flat, loW machine frame, a verti cally disposed endless cutter chain guideivav mounted across and at the front of the frame, and having top and bottom horizontal reaches and side vertical reaches, the entire space Within the cutter chain guide- Way being clear, a cutter chain running in the guideway, means for driving the cutter chain, means for advancing the machine frame to press the cutter chain into the Work,

and a 10W, flat, horizontally disposed conveyor Within the machine frame, extending from just behind the cutter chain guideivay I to the rear of the frame and entering the bottom horizontal reach of the kerf as the machine advances.

18. A mining machine including in combination a flat, low machine frame, a vertically disposed endless cutter chain guideway in fixed position on the frame, and having top and bottom horizontal reaches and side vertical reaches, a cutter chain running in the guideWay, means for driving the cutter chain, means for advancing the machine frame to press the cutter chain into the work, and a horizontally disposed conveyor having traveling conveying blades adapted to lie down to enter the bottom horizontal reach of the kerf as the machine advances and to stand up to convey away the dis lodged coal.

19. A mining machine including in combination a flat, lOW machine frame, a vertically disposed endless cutter chain guideivay in fixed position on the frame, and having top and bottom horizontal reaches and side vertical reaches, a cutter chain running in the guideway, means for driving the cutter chain, means for advancing the machine frame to press the cutter chain into the Work, and a horizontally disposed conveyor, located Within the machine frame and extending from ust behind the cutter chain guide- Way to the rear of the machine, and having traveling conveying blades adapted to lie down to enter thebottom horizontal reach of the kerf'as the machine. advances and to stand up to convey away thedislodged'coal.

20. A mining machine including in com-v bination of flat, low machine frame, avertically .disposediendless cutter chain guide. way mounted across and atthe front'ofthe frame, and having top and. bottom. horizontal reaches and side vertical'reaches, a cutter chain running in the gu-idcway, means for driving the cutter. chain, means for, ad-: vancing the machine frame to press the cut ter chain-into thezwork, and a horizontally disposed conveyor having traveling convey ing blades adapted to lie downto enter the bottom horizontalreach of thekerf: as the machine advancesand to stand up to, convey away the dislodged'coal.

21. A. mining machine including in combination a flat, low machine frame, a vertically disposedendless cutter chain guideway mounted'across and at the front of'the. frame, and having top and bottom horizontal reachesand side vertical reaches, a cutter chain running in the guideway, means for driving the cutter chain, means for'advancing the machine. frame topress the. cutter chain into the work, and ahori- Zontally disposed conveyor, located within the machine frame andjextending. from just bination kerfcutting mechanism including a cutter chain guidew-ay, a cutter chainrunmug in the. guideway and another chaln running within the guideway in engagementtherefromalongthemachine in positionto enter. the! kerf, a 5. motor. at the rear ofthe machine, and driving connections between with and driving the cutter, chain.

24. A mining machine including in com bination kerf cutting mechanism, including a cutter chain and another chain running engagement with and driving the cutter chain, a motor, andconnections, therefrom to: sa d driving chain.

2 5,. A mining machineincluding-in com bin-a-tion kerf cutting mechanismiinclu ding;

withand driving the cutter chain, a motor, and connections therefrom to sa d ClIlVlIlg.

chain.

26. A mlnlngimachme mclud ng in combination kerf cuttingmechanism including a.

cutter chain and another chain; running in engagement with the cutter. chain for a por tion onlyof-its length chain. v

-27. A mining machine including inc0m bination-kerf cutting mechanism including a cutter chain guideway, acutter chainrun ningin the guidew-ay, and another chain nd-driving he ir ter running within the guidew-ay in;- engage binationkerf cutting mechanism includingan endless cutter chain and g-uideway having a plurality of reaches angula-rly disposed with respectto each other and-a, driving chainrunning within the; guideway and in driving engagement with the cutter chaininone of said reaches, said drivingchain extending outside thegu-ideway, a motor, and driving connections from-the motor; for said driving chainand engaging therewith outside said guideway. I

mining machine includingin COM: blnatlonkerf cutting means including an endless cutter chainhandguideway therefor having vertical and horizontal reaches, a driving. chain in driving; engagement with the cutter chain) and extendingbackwardly therefrom along the machine in position v to enter. a vertical reach of the. kerf, a: motor at the rear of the machine, anddri-ving.;c0n nections betweenthe motor and-the driving chain} 31 A mininginachineincluding in com:

bin-ationkerf cutting means including anendles cutter chain and guideway, therefor,

a driving chain .in driving engagement; with i the cutter chain andextending backwardly the motor and the driving chain. v

32. A mining maclnneincluding in com:

bination avv machine frame, a vertically dis-i posed endless cutter. chain guideway. in fixed,- position upon, and extending across theframe at the front end thereof, a, 11101101 011 the frame at one-of the rear corners thereof, driving connection; fromthe motor to the,- cutterchain, and a conveyor extendingalong,

the. frame from just, inthemear of theicut ter chainguideway rear of the machine. i

In testimony whereof, I. have signed my name to this specification.

Riouaenrueta v past the. motor to the. 

